Q: Can my partner and I get married the same day that we apply for a license?

A: If either partner is a Florida resident there is a three-day delay in the effective date of the marriage license. Couples can get the waiting period waived if they participate in a premarital preparation course meeting the requirements specified in law and whose provider is registered with the Clerk.

Otherwise exceptions to the three day waiting period must be granted for individuals asserting hardship by a county court judge.

If only one member of the couple is a Florida resident, the couple must complete a premarital counseling course to waive the waiting period.

There is no waiting period for couples from out of state.

Q: How can we waive the waiting period for the issuance of a marriage license?

A: The waiting period will be waived if the couple completes a premarital counseling course of not less than 4 hours taught by a provider who has been approved by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

The course may be completed by personal instruction or by video/electronic instruction. Providers must furnish a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the course, to be submitted to the Clerk's Office when applying for a marriage license. For those couples who voluntarily complete this premarital preparation course, the state offers a reduced marriage license fee and no waiting period.

Some Counties have decided to waive this waiting period for same-sex couples who apply for marriage licenses, asserting that the delay these couples have had to endure constitutes legal "hardship." A county judge can also waive this waiting period for good cause and by asserting hardship. For a list of all counties, their office hours and locations, and whether your Clerk has waived the three-day waiting period for same-sex couples, visit your county page here.

For a list of premarital course providers across the state, click here.

NOTE: For additional information about the premarital preparation course and providers in your area, to view the family law handbook, or to confirm that a provider is certified in your county, please contact the Clerk in your county.isit your County Clerk of Court’s page for specific information pertaining to your county, including office locations, hours, and additional information specific to your county.

Q: We were married out of state but live in Florida. Do we need to marry again in Florida for the state to recognize our marriage?

A: No. If you were legally married in another state, you do not need to marry again in Florida. On January 6th, 2015, your marriage should be immediately recognized and valid in Florida when the stay expires. To obtain certain benefits, however, such as applying for Social Security benefits or adding your spouse to your health insurance plan, you will need to take action and submit paperwork, just as a different-sex couple would be required to do. The process for doing so will be the same as for a different-sex couple.

For more information regarding the recognition of your out-of-state marriage, click here.

Q: Where is my County Clerk’s office?

For the address and phone number of Florida’s 67 County Clerks of Court, click here.

Q: Can I get a license in a different county than where I live?

Yes. A Florida marriage license can be issued by any county, regardless of where you or your partner reside.

Q: What forms of identification do I need?

You should bring two forms of identification. One form of identification required is an valid photo identification issued by the Federal or State government. The photo identification must have the correct legal name, date of birth, and signature of the applicant.

The following valid proofs of photo identifications are accepted:

· Driver's License (U.S. State or Government)

· Passport

· U.S. Military identification

· State Identification Card (U.S. State or Government)

· Alien Registration Card

All U.S. citizens and residents must provide their Social Security Number. Non-U.S. Citizens may provide one of the following valid Identifications: Alien Registration Card, US State issued Driver's License, or Passport if they do not have a Social Security Number. Contact your clerk office for alternative options if you do not have the above documents.

Q: Do both persons have to appear in the county clerk’s office to obtain the license?

Generally the answer is yes. If one of the persons to be married is not able to go to the clerk’s office because of illness or other reason, he or she should contact the clerk to see if special arrangements can be made.

Q: What is the county/state fee for obtaining a marriage license?

A: The marriage license fee is $93.50. There is a reduction for all couples who complete the premarital preparation course, making the marriage license cost $61.00 for these couples.

Q: What if I have been married before?

A: If either applicant has been previously married, the exact date of the last divorce, death, or annulment must be provided. In some counties, proof of how the last marriage terminated must be present e.g., divorce decree or death certificate.

Q: For how long are marriage licenses valid?

A: Marriage licenses can be used within the State for up to 60 days after they were issued. They must be returned to the Clerk's Office where they were issued within 10 days after the marriage is performed.

Q: Who can officiate my wedding?

A: According to Florida law, “All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel or elders in communion with some church, or other ordained clergy, and all judicial officers, including retired judicial officers, clerks of the circuit courts, and notaries public of this state” may perform a marriage. To find a regularly-updated list of officiants available to perform weddings, click here.

Q: What if the clerk at my county turns me away or is not ready to issue licenses to same-sex couples as soon as the stay expires?

A: All clerks are legally obligated to stop enforcing the ban on marriage for same-sex couples that a federal court has held as unconstitutional. On January 1st, 2015, Judge Hinkle confirmed his original ruling as binding statewide on all 67 Clerks in Florida.

If your county clerk will not provide you a license, you can go to another Florida County to get a license. Please contact us at hr@eqfl.org if you encounter a problem at your County Clerk’s office on January 6th.

Q: If I so choose, how do I legally change my name?

A: The State of Florida should now honor the use of out-of-state marriage certificates and Florida marriage certificates in order to legally change your name on your driver's license, so you can bring your marriage certificate to your local DMV office starting January 6th.

Q: Will my marriage impact my eligibility to receive social services based on income?

A: Possibly. You should take some time to consider what impact your new household income may have in the determination of eligibility for access to various social service programs such as Medicaid, Ryan White, tax subsidies available through Affordable Care Act Marketplace health plans, and other programs. You should also consider your liabilities as a couple: student loans, credit card debt, judgements, etc. For more specific information regarding your situation, you may want to consult a lawyer or financial advisor.

Q: What are my rights with respect to my partner's children?

A: Being married doesn't automatically give you parental rights for your spouse's child. If your spouse has children already, and you and your spouse wish to exercise co-parental rights over the children, you need a stepparent adoption to obtain those rights. If you are married and planning to have children, you will benefit from a legal presumption that you are the legal parent of that child born into the marriage. However, the consensus among attorneys and activists doing legal work with LGBT families is that this presumption could be challenged in court in the event the marriage is dissolved. It is prudent to take the legal steps necessary to obtain legal recognition of the joint desire to co-parent the children born during the marriage and do a second parent adoption, which we also refer to as a confirmatory adoption since it is confirming the parental rights which ought to exist.

Top 10 considerations for already married, now recognized LGBT couples

Do you live in Florida and are married to your same-sex spouse legally in another jurisdiction? Our firm has advocated for your right to have your marriage recognized in Florida, and marriage equality is finally arriving as of January 6th, 2015! What does that mean for you? You DO NOT need to remarry in Florida, which means you do not need a Florida marriage license or a ceremony. Your marriage validly entered into elsewhere will be automatically valid in Florida without any further action by you.

If you are already married or have decided to get married and you own property, have or want to have children, file taxes, plan to retire, or have other financial issues, here are our Top 10 considerations for you to discuss with your attorney and tax advisor. There are many new rights and benefits you can now take advantage of. There are also obligations that come with marriage. Many of these rights, benefits and obligations are not automatic and do require further steps on your part. Here are some steps you should consider taking:

1. Marital and Estate planningIf you have your estate plan in place, you should make sure everything there still makes sense and represents your current intentions. If you die intestate (without a will or trust in place), Florida law dictates how your estate will be distributed. Some spousal rights on inheritance are automatic and others are not, so you may wish to create or modify your existing estate plan. It's critical for married and unmarried couples to have estate planning in place to be sure their wishes are clear and that alternate fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and designates for health care surrogates and the like are named in case you are traveling and in a state or country that does not recognize your marriage. Also, if you are not a fan of letting Florida legislators dictate how your income and assets would be divided in the event you should divorce or die, we can change those automatic rights through a postnuptial agreement and an estate plan. It doesn't mean you're breaking up, only that you want to spell out different intentions than the law would provide.

2. Income Tax filingThe federal government has recognized your marriage for tax purposes since 2013, so hopefully you've been filing your taxes together since then if you were married already. If you haven't before, you'd better start doing so now. Your tax professional will run the numbers and see if it's advantageous to retroactively amend your returns to reflect the marriage for up to the prior 3 years, depending on your date of marriage. For more information, see the Internal Revenue Service's FAQs on point here.

3. ParentingBeing married doesn't automatically give you parental rights for your spouse's child. If your spouse has children already, and you and your spouse wish to exercise co-parental rights over the children, you need a stepparent adoption to obtain those rights. If you are married and planning to have children, you will benefit from a legal presumption that you are the legal parent of that child born into the marriage. However, the consensus among attorneys and activists doing legal work with LGBT families is that this presumption could be challenged in court in the event the marriage is dissolved. It is prudent to take the legal steps necessary to obtain legal recognition of the joint desire to co-parent the children born during the marriage and do a second parent adoption, which we also refer to as a confirmatory adoption since it is confirming the parental rights which ought to exist.

4. Retirement accountsYour spouse has automatic rights to your pension and all qualified retirement plans. Be sure s/he is listed as a spouse so that s/he can take advantage of rollover benefits if you should pass away. Many who have worked with the State of Florida on any level have retirement benefits with the Florida Retirement System (FRS). FRS did not allow you to designate your non-legal spouse prior to marriage recognition but now that Florida recognizes your marriage, you should be able to amend your beneficiary designation form to include your spouse, if you so desire.

5. Retitling propertyBefore your marriage was recognized, if you wanted to own property jointly it would either be as tenants in common or joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Now you can own as tenants by the entireties, a special category for Florida married joint owners of property. This special form of ownership provides greater creditor protection and also cannot be severed without the consent of the other spouse. These benefits apply to real property (your home) and also to your investment accounts.

6. Social Security and other government benefitsIf you're eligible to collect Social Security survivors benefits because your spouse passed away, go ahead and file for those benefits. You can now collect! If you are receiving Social Security benefits based on your own age eligibility, your own work history and health, getting married will not affect those payments. For more information on these benefits that are critical for so many of us, see the Social Security Administration's FAQ for same-sex couples here. There are other great benefits you'll enjoy now like Family Medical Leave Act protection should you need to take time off work to care for your spouse, and COBRA guaranteed continuation of medical coverage for your spouse. If you are military, whether active service or a veteran, you'll want to look into the myriad benefits now available to you as well.

7. Insurance CoverageMost likely your private group employer health insurance plan is available for married employees so go ahead and enroll! You can allege that the recognition of your marriage is a triggering event such that you need not wait for the open enrollment period to make the change. Also, homeowners and auto insurance policies sometimes provide for benefits to married couples so it's worthwhile to call up and advise them of your marital status and see if any discounts or better policies are available.

8. Name ChangesDepending on where you got married, you might have checked off a box indicating you want to change your last name. The State of Florida should now honor that request so head over to the local DMV office with your marriage certificate and change your name on your driver's license, if you so choose.

9. Financial AidIf you are applying for student aid and you're married, or you have a child who is applying for aid, your household income is joined so be sure you include both incomes.

10. DivorceNo list about what is now available to you as a married couple would be complete without touching on one of the most important benefits of marriage: namely, divorce! If you wish to move on to solemnize another relationship, it's critical that you formally terminate the prior one so that you do not risk bigamy charges, which would also make your new marriage void and not eligible for recognition in the State of Florida. If you can't agree on the division of your assets and debts, the court will impose its own vision of what constitutes equitable distribution, so it's best to try to work it out between you. To save money and heartache on a prolonged adversarial divorce, consider using a lawyer trained in the collaborative divorce process, which you can learn more about here. Our firm is trained in the collaborative divorce process.

This is only intended to be a basic outline of some of the issues that might arise. This is not a substitute for legal advice. If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss your situation and how our firm can assist you, call the office at 305.674.9222 or email to arrange a consultation with Elizabeth Schwartz. - COURTESY of Equality Florida.

The Whispering Angels Scholarship & Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unidateam up to offer So. Florida LGBT Students seeking a CollegeScholarship for Design and the Arts: Applications now being accepted.

Miami, Florida- Established in 2007 in memory of her later partner, renowned InteriorDesigner Anita Priest, the “Whispering Angels” Memorial Scholarship program foundedby Sandra Holiday is a legacy program that provides a scholarship for the LGBT communityto advance their education in the area of Design and or the Arts.

Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU), the first & only organization for the Latino|Hispanic|LGBTQ Community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) -advancing Equality since 2002, is proud to partner with the Whispering Angels Foundationfor 2013, and nominated its founder SANDRA HOLIDAY for our Legends Honors, for heryears of tireless and unselfish work on behalf of the LGBT, Youth, Design and Arts communities.

Past recipients JOVAN KALA HANNAH, ALBERTO PARRA and others have gone on tostudy with the help of this foundation generosity.

The Whispering Angels Foundation, under the guidance of Sandra and in memory ofAnita, is essential to our community. It allows a young LGBT student who otherwisemight not get to go to college, fulfill his/ her dreams and go on and make a difference.We are proud to support their work and partner in this important community project.– Herb Sosa, UC|CU president

ELIGIBILITY- You must be a resident of South Florida.- Completed and signed application - Recent photo or digital photo in jpg, gif, or bmp format- Most recent academic transcript to be sent by the school by e-mail or by mail- At least two and no more than three letters of recommendation (At least one of these mustbe from an individual familiar with your work in South Florida (no family members)- A scan of Driver’s License / State Issued ID - I authorize the Anita Priest Scholarship Committee to review and discuss my grades and other records concerning me that are maintained by my school or submitted by me for consideration. This authorization is being granted to this Committee as it pertains to my being considered for a Scholarship Award.

One applicant will be awarded a $2,500. scholarship for tuition expenses related to Design and the Arts

January 28, 2013... WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of leading senators has reached agreement on the principles for a sweeping overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, including a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in this country.The deal, to be announced at a news conference Monday, also covers border security, non-citizen or "guest" workers and employer verification of immigration status.Although thorny details remain to be negotiated and success is far from certain — the legislation could run into trouble in the Republican-controlled House — the development heralds the start of what could be the most significant effort in years toward overhauling the nation's inefficient patchwork of immigration laws.President Barack Obama also is committed to enacting comprehensive immigration legislation and will travel to Nevada on Tuesday to lay out his vision, which is expected to overlap in important ways with the Senate effort.The eight senators expected to endorse the new principles Monday are Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado; and Republicans John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida and Jeff Flake of Arizona.Several of these lawmakers have worked for years on the issue. McCain collaborated with the late Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on comprehensive immigration legislation pushed by then-President George W. Bush in 2007, only to see it collapse in the Senate when it couldn't get enough GOP support.Now, with some Republicans chastened by the November elections which demonstrated the importance of Latino voters and their increasing commitment to Democrats, some in the GOP say this time will be different."What's changed, honestly, is that there is a new, I think, appreciation on both sides of the aisle — including maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle — that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill," McCain said Sunday on ABC's "This Week.""I think the time is right," McCain said.The group claims a notable newcomer in Rubio, a potential 2016 presidential candidate whose conservative bona fides may help smooth the way for support among conservatives wary of anything that smacks of amnesty. In an opinion piece published Sunday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rubio wrote that the existing system amounts to "de facto amnesty," and he called for "commonsense reform."

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the senators will call for accomplishing four goals:—Creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already here, contingent upon securing the border and better tracking of people here on visas.—Reforming the legal immigration system, including awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering from an American university.—Creating an effective employment verification system to ensure that employers do not hire illegal immigrants.—Allowing more low-skill workers into the country and allowing employers to hire immigrants if they can demonstrate they couldn't recruit a U.S. citizen; and establishing an agricultural worker program.

The principles being released Monday are outlined on just over four pages, leaving plenty of details left to fill in. What the senators do call for is similar to Obama's goals and some past efforts by Democrats and Republicans, since there's wide agreement in identifying problems with the current immigration system. The most difficult disagreement is likely to arise over how to accomplish the path to citizenship.In order to satisfy the concerns of Rubio and other Republicans, the senators are calling for the completion of steps on border security and oversight of those here on visas before taking major steps forward on the path to citizenship.Even then, those here illegally would have to qualify for a "probationary legal status" that would allow them to live and work here — but not qualify for federal benefits — before being able to apply for permanent residency. Once they are allowed to apply they would do so behind everyone else already in line for a green card within the current immigration system.That could be a highly cumbersome process, but how to make it more workable is being left to future negotiations. The senators envision a more streamlined process toward citizenship for immigrants brought here as children by their parents, and for agricultural workers.The American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement that the framework agreed on by the senators could provide important protections for illegal immigrants who are exploited by employers and live in "constant fear" over their immigration status.But the ACLU took issue with the proposal to require employers to use an electronic employment-verification system, calling it "a thinly disguised national ID requirement" that would undermine employees' privacy and lead to discrimination against those "who look or sound 'foreign.'"Such legislation could also face long odds in the House, which is dominated by conservative Republicans and which has shown little interest in immigration reform.The debate will play out at the start of Obama's second term, as he aims to spend the political capital afforded him by his re-election victory on an issue that has eluded past presidents and stymied him during his first term despite his promises to the Latino community to act."As the president has made clear for some time, immigration reform is an important priority and he is pleased that progress is being made with bipartisan support," a White House spokesman, Clark Stevens, said in a statement. "At the same time, he will not be satisfied until there is meaningful reform and he will continue to urge Congress to act until that is achieved."For Republicans, the November elections were a stark schooling on the importance of Latino voters, who voted for Obama over Republican Mitt Romney 71 percent to 27 percent, helping ensure Obama's victory. That led some Republican leaders to conclude that supporting immigration reform with a path to citizenship has become a political imperative.

Obama Will Include Same-Sex Couples In Immigration PlanThe Senate is silent on bi-national couples divided by law

WASHINGTON — Same-sex couples will be a part of the proposal for addressing immigration reform that President Obama is scheduled to unveil Tuesday in Las Vegas, BuzzFeed has confirmed with multiple sources familiar with the White House plan.A Democratic source said: "Same-sex couples will be part of his proposal." A second source confirmed that, unlike the Senate framework released Monday, same-sex bi-national couples — those with one American and one foreign partner — will be included in the White House principles.The decision by Obama seeks to remedy what advocates for same-sex couples view as one of the most searing inequalities under the existing federal limit on marriage to one man and one woman: LGBT American citizens simply have no way to confer citizenship on their romantic partners, something that is automatic — if not always simple — for straight couples.Under current law, such same-sex couples, even when married under state law, are not eligible for the green cards that opposite-sex couples can receive. Foreign partners of same-sex couples have in the past found their green card applications denied — often forcing couples to separate or move abroad.Although Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have taken steps to examine the issue and, in some cases, prevent deportation of the foreign same-sex partners of Americans, the Defense of Marriage Act continues to prevent the granting of green cards for such individuals.White House officials did not respond to requests for comment about the issue Monday night.When the Senate framework was unveiled Monday, same-sex couples were not included. BuzzFeed has learned that three of the Democratic senators involved in the bipartisan framework reached out to LGBT advocates on Sunday to let them know in advance that same-sex couples' immigration issues would not be addressed in the Senate framework.An LGBT advocate on the call said that the call, which was led by Sen. Chuck Schumer and included Sens. Richard Durbin and Bob Menendez, included the news from Schumer that same-sex couples would not be addressed in the Senate framework to be unveiled Monday in order to maintain its bipartisan support.The advocate also said that Schumer told the advocates that although there would be attempts to include same-sex couples at a later point in the process — up to and including during committee amendments — there were no guarantees that same-sex couples would be included the legislation.An email seeking comment from Schumer's office was not immediately returned on Monday night.Alex Conant, press secretary for Sen. Marco Rubio, one of the Republicans who announced the Senate framework Monday, told BuzzFeed shortly after publication of this story Monday night, "White House officials have talked to BuzzFeed more than they've talked to Marco Rubio about what they plan to say tomorrow.""The issue of same-sex couples and immigration are details that still need to be worked out in Senate," Rubio press secretary Alex Conant added.Earlier Monday, White House press secretary Jay Carney refused to say whether Obama would sign the senate proposal if it passed as is, nor would he comment on a key Democratic concession to Republicans to make granting a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants dependent on first securing the border.The Democratic source said the White House is displeased by the proposal and his plan would not link the two.

This article has been updated to include the lack of comment from White House officials and the comments from Conant.

Republicans: Campaigning Against Marriage is a Losing Strategy

May 10, 2012...Washington, DC– In the wake of President Obama’s personal announcement in support of the freedom to marry, Republicans should recognize the changed political climate on the issue in favor of equality.“Marriage equality has captured the nation’s attention, and the response to President Obama’s announcement is evidence of the tide turning in favor of equality for all. Log Cabin Republicans have long believed that supporting the freedom to marry is the right thing to do and the President’s joining this effort is in the nation’s best interest. That said, Americans can be certain that the President would not have made this decision at this time if it were not in his best political interests. In addition to energizing his base and distracting attention from a failed economic record, the trap is laid for any Republican who responds with intolerance,” said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. “Already some in the GOP are taking the bait with former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie bringing up the twice-failed Federal Marriage Amendment and the unfortunate vote on Representative Heulskamp’s (R-KS) amendment re-affirming DOMA last night. Democrats are eager to fundraise off of this issue. It is in the best interests of Republican candidates to be measured and disciplined in response, recognizing that a generational shift has occurred.”“Governor Mitt Romney’s statement in opposition to not just marriage but civil unions jeopardizes his ability to win moderates, women and younger voters, especially as a large majority of Americans favor some form of relationship recognition for their LGBT friends and neighbors. Ultimately, the response of the Republican candidates this election cycle will determine not just endorsements by Log Cabin Republicans, but the votes of millions of Americans who are simply tired of the culture wars.”

August 3, 2001Re: Comments about the LGBT Community

Mrs. Diana Cardenas,

On behalf of Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida, a Florida non profit dedicated to the Leadership, Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBTQ rights (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) - the only organization of its kind in South Florida since 2002, we join the many voices outraged by your insensitive and irresponsible statements, and call on you to immediately retract and apologize for your public comments regarding the GLBT community.The LGBT community if filled with loving, caring, happy & respectable individuals - families, couples, mother, fathers, sons & daughters – much like yourself & your family. Unlike you, Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans are respectful & protective of others rights, and will fight for equality and fairness for all. We are patriotic, honest, hard working, tax paying Americans that deserve and demand the same rights this great country offers us, as it did to & your husband when you came to its shores.Your comments placed in a public forum like Facebook are hurtful, disrespectful, misleading and simply unacceptable. We ask you to retract your comments and apologize. Hate and bigotry of this sort is why our LGBT youth suicide rate is 4 times that of heterosexuals, and hate crimes & bullying plague our society. Your words only propagate these horrible statistics. We may agree to disagree on many issues & policies, but to attack an entire group of Americans based on ill-informed stereotypes and your own misguided references is counter-productive. You should know the pain and suffering this type of action has caused Americans historically, Catholics, Cubans, Jews…the List goes on. One would hope your personal experiences and that of your loved ones and fellow Americans would have hade you a more tolerant and accepting individual, but not to worry, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida is always willing and available to work with you in better understanding the LGBT community, our similarities, hopes, dreams and expectations. Our doors are open to you, in the spirit of unity, understanding & love.UC|CU offers many community workshops, including our STATE OF HATE Workshop coming up on September 10th – We believe you would greatly benefit by attending, opening up your mind & heart and be better informed on a topic you seem very confused and greatly misinformed on.Whether you accept our invitation or not, we hope you do understand the real harm you have caused and prejudice you have displayed and call on you to do the right thing and apologize immediately.

The American Conservative Union -- now led by Miami attorney Al Cardenas -- has barred the conservative gay Republican group, GOProud, from sponsoring and fully participating at its next national convention.This week, Cardenas' wife Diana (Chief Operating Officer (COO) at The Cardenas Household," according to her Facebook profile) engaged in an interesting public exchange on the social network about gays and lesbians after GOP activist Ana Navarro posted comments concerning Texas Gov. Rick Perry's flip-flop last week on gay marriage:"I want a candidate w/strong informed opinions & beliefs & courage to stick by them even when not politically convenient. Is that too much to ask these days?" Navarro posted.Here's Diana Cardenas' initial response to Navarro:I would be very disappointed if Perry did not favor amending the Const to ban gay marriage. These gay marriage laws are destructive .... Marriage is a vital social institution between two members of the OPPOSITE sex. It goes way beyond just an emotional relationship---it serves a vital role in the stability and continuity of our society, something which homosexual marriages cannot provide. Unfortunately, the biggest victory of the gay movement has been to shift the debate from a 'behavior' to identity, whereby those that oppose homosexuality are considered bigoted or hateful. They have equated it to the Civil Rights Movement, seeking to obtain the rights granted under the constitution to all races or religions. Sexual behavior does not fall into either category!!!!It is not about homosexuals wanting to enter into a 'marriage' so much as it is about them wanting to gain acceptance into mainstream society by redefining the traditional definition of the institution. Because a few liberal judges decide to sign it into law, does not mean the public is in favor of it. Whenever it has been put on the ballot (as in California), it has failed.A few hours later, Cardenas responded to Rena Doty Fraser, who asked why gay marriage "is such a threat":Rena, it IS a threat to society. It is not nature's way. They can't procreate, can they?....You hvae them in your family? Well, there is no reason not to like them or love them, the same way you would love one who has a disability, or an illness, etc. I just DO NOT want them pushing their agenda on the majority who are not. This is just about sexual preference--keep it in the bedroom!!!! It is not about being denied any constitutional rights.....Ana, I got your point.....I am just tired of this topic being shoved in our face continually by all these gay activists and I have to ventilate my feelings.... You know I always wondered why homosexuals are referred to as 'gay', kind of an oxymoron? Nothing really 'gay' about them or their movement......I am all for intellectual honesty too!!

.

UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA DISAPPOINTED IN GOVERNOR SCOTTS POSITION ON ADOPTIONS IN FLORIDA -Miami, Florida…January 20, 2011- Just days into his inauguration as Florida’s new governor, Rick Scott has already taken positions and decisions that are not in the best interest of thousands of children currently in Florida’s state foster care, and clearly are in opposition of the recent court ruling filed and won by the ACLU of Florida, allowing gay and lesbian adoption in Florida.Since 2002, Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida -dedicated to the Leadership, Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBT rights (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender), the only organization of its kind in South Florida - has been meeting with elected leaders & bringing volunteer contingents to Tallahassee to speak on behalf of the over 5,000 children currently in the states system, and until recently, had no chance of being adopted by a loving, caring and capable household, if they happen to be gay or lesbian. Florida was the only State in the Union that had this archaic and discriminatory law until recently.Just this week, the governor said "Adoption should be by a married couple", as reported by the Associated Press. His statement and position is clearly ignoring the court ruling on gay and lesbian inclusive adoption and it could remove millions of Floridians from the adoption process and leave tens of thousands of children in state foster care who could otherwise be adopted by loving families. On Wednesday, Governor Rick Scott named David Wilkins as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families – the state agency responsible for implementing adoptions in Florida. David Wilkins serves as Finance Chairman for Florida Baptist Children’s Homes – an “organization dedicated to providing Christ-centered services to children and families…” Among its missions, the Florida Baptists Children’s Homes provides adoption services. To adopt through them, they, “require that you be a professing Christian, be active in a local Christian church, and follow a lifestyle that is consistent with the Christian faith.” Such a narrow view of adoption is well outside the mainstream in Florida, leaves millions of Americans out of the process and disregards what is in the best interests of the child. It is, in a word, dangerous to have a man with these narrow values setting adoption policy for all of us.These positions being taken by elected officials & appointed representatives of the People clearly go against the will of Floridians, the court rulings we abide by, and jeopardize the civil rights and ability of millions of Floridians from the adoption process and leave tens of thousands of children in state foster care who could otherwise be adopted by loving families.With this appointment and Governor Scott’s statements, we are profoundly disappointed but not surprised. In real terms it means the showdown on adoption may be just starting instead of nearing an end. Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida remains unified and in solidarity with the hundreds of like-minded leaders & organizations across the state, and vows to keep Governor Scott focused on respecting, adhering to and upholding the laws & will of our state.Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida urges Governor Scott to respect the court rulings in Florida, keep personal beliefs & religion out of government, not violate the civil rights of all our citizens and allow Florida’s children in foster care, a real chance at a stable, loving & enriching home.

UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA was Proud to have been a part of the Miami-Dade HATE CRIMES SUMMIT...Representing, Fighting for & Protecting LGBT Issues & Rights in our community -The Miami-Dade Community Relations Board SUMMIT ON HATE CRIMES AND HATE SPEECH: Creating a Roadmap to Prevention and Response, at the Board of County Commission Chambers Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 NW 1st Street, Miami.

January 26, 2011 -FEATURED DISCUSSION: WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE NEED TO GO - Moderator: Ms. Joy-Ann Reid, Editorial Contributor, The Miami Herald

February 17, 2011... (Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) draws attention today on the floor of theU.S. House of Representatives to the civil rights violations in Puerto Rico, against students of theUniversity of Puerto Rico and against the Puerto Rico Bar Association -Colegio de Abogados dePuerto Rico- including its President Osvaldo Toledo who was recently arrested and jailed forinforming lawyers of their right to opt out of a class action suit against the Bar Association(trying to dismantle the Bar Association) in which all lawyers were automatically included asplaintiffs. Congressman Gutierrez was a key ally in the struggle to get the U.S. Navy out of Viequesand was arrested for civil disobedience. The Puerto Rico Bar Association was also a key organizationin that struggle and in defending those arrested for acts of civil disobedience and acting as humanshields in defense of Vieques)

Miami, Florida – July 19, 2011… Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida is thrilled to be developing a new program - NO ESTA SOLO|YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A series of videos featuring community & entertainment leaders, to deal with issues of LGBT Hate Crimes & Teen Suicide. The first in this series is International Latin Singing Sensation, ELVIS CRESPO.The focus is a bilingual audience, with emphasis on stopping hate crimes, discrimination and bullying within our own communities. When we reached out to music producer Joe Granda of Granda Entertainment, he immediately offered to help out and to work with his team of talent to make this important project a reality. “There is too much hate, misinformation & crimes directed towards the LGBT community. Whatever we can do to help stop this, educate & inform the community, we are in!” said Granda.In unison with this video project, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU) is committed to ongoing training & workshops throughout the community, including the STATE OF HATE Workshops offered in Spanish & English, where Crime & Discrimination, Sexual Orientation, Labels & Perception and how to improve community relations & reduce attacks to our community are discussed openly &honestly. The June 2011 workshop featured a special appearance & testimonial from TV & Broadway star Jai Rodriguez. The next State of Hate workshop will be held in Miami Beach on September 10, 2011.

Why is this type of work necessary? - THERE IS ONE LGBT MURDER EVERY 9 DAYS IN AMERICA.- THERE WAS 1 LGBT MURDER EVERY 9 DAYS IN THE US IN 2008. - THE FBI REPORTED 1,482 HATE CRIMES BASED ON SEXUALORIENTATION IN 2009.- FLORIDA: HATE CRIMES REPORTED AGAINST LGBT’S INCREASEDIN 2007 TO 1,265 –HIGHEST IN 5 YEARS.- SOUTH FLORIDA LEADS THE STATE ON REPORTED HATE CRIMESAGAINST LGBT’S.

“We look forward to eradicating Hate Crimes towards the LGBT community, and hope that through our programming & education, we can chip away at this horrible attack on our community” said UC|CU board member Moses Stein.Additional videos & testimonials are being developed for the UC|CU series, and will appear regularly on various Social Media outlets, Ambiente Magazine & Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida’s website.CRESPO for Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, as well as support & community outreach resources for the LGBT Youth & community.

Immigration Judge Closes Deportation Case Against Married Gay Man

August 20, 2011... Attorney Lavi Soloway writes, "San Francisco Immigration Judge Marilyn Teeter has granted [Immigrations and Customs Enforcement] Motion to Administratively Close Deportation of gay Venezuelan Alex Benshimol, ending the nightmare faced by Alex and his American husband, Doug Gentry."In July, Teeter had put off a decision on the case until 2013, but had given the U.S. government 60 days to decide whether it was going to continue with Benshimol's deportation.Soloway writes, "According to the documents received today, ICE moved quickly to notify the court by the beginning of August requesting that the case be dropped. A few days later, the Judge granted the government's motion and closed proceedings."This is at least the second time ICE has taken such an action in a case. Earlier this year, in a case involving another Venezuelan, Henry Velandia, and his husband, Josh Vandiver, the ICE office in Newark, N.J., took a similar action, noting that Velandia's case "is not an enforcement priority at this time."The move appears to be in line with the plan laid out earlier this week by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for focusing on the "highest priority" deportation cases.

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration will stop deporting and begin granting work permits to younger undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and have since led law-abiding lives. The election-year initiative addresses a top priority of an influential Latino electorate that has been vocal in its opposition to administration deportation policies.The policy change, described to The Associated Press by two senior administration officials, will affect as many as 800,000 immigrants who have lived in fear of deportation. It also bypasses Congress and partially achieves the goals of the so-called DREAM Act, a long-sought but never enacted plan to establish a path toward citizenship for young people who came to the United States without documents but who have attended college or served in the military.Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was to announce the new policy Friday, one week before President Barack Obama plans to address the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials' annual conference in Orlando, Fla. Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney is scheduled to speak to the group on Thursday.Under the administration plan, undocumented immigrants will be immune from deportation if they were brought to the United States before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, have no criminal history, graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED, or served in the military. They also can apply for a work permit that will be good for two years with no limits on how many times it can be renewed. The officials who described the plan spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss it in advance of the official announcement.The policy will not lead toward citizenship but will remove the threat of deportation and grant the ability to work legally, leaving eligible immigrants able to remain in the United States for extended periods."Many of these young people have already contributed to our country in significant ways," Napolitano wrote in a memorandum describing the administration's action. "Prosecutorial discretion, which is used in so many other areas, is especially justified here."The extraordinary move comes in an election year in which the Hispanic vote could be critical in swing states like Colorado, Nevada and Florida. While Obama enjoys support from a majority of Hispanic voters, Latino enthusiasm for the president has been tempered by the slow economic recovery, his inability to win congressional support for a broad overhaul of immigration laws and by his administration's aggressive deportation policy. Activists opposing his deportation policies last week mounted a hunger strike at an Obama campaign office in Denver, and other protests were planned for this weekend.The change is likely to cause an outcry from congressional Republicans, who are sure to perceive Obama's actions as an end run around them. Republicans already have complained that previous administration uses of prosecutorial discretion in deportations amount to back-door amnesty. Romney and many Republican lawmakers want tighter border security measures before considering changes in immigration law. Romney opposes offering legal status to undocumented immigrants who attend college but has said he would do so for those who serve in the armed forces.An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll last month found Obama leading Romney among Hispanic voters 61 percent to 27 percent. But his administration's deportation policies have come under fire, and Latino leaders have raised the subject in private meetings with the president. In 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported a record 396,906 people and is expected to deport about 400,000 this year.A December poll by the Pew Hispanic Center showed that 59 percent of Latinos disapproved of the president's handling of deportations.public safety and national security, and serious immigration law violators.One of the officials said the latest policy change is just another step in the administration's evolving approach to immigration.Under the plan, immigrants whose deportation cases are pending in immigration court will have to prove their eligibility for a reprieve to ICE, which will begin dealing with such cases in 60 days. Any immigrant who already has a deportation order and those who never have been encountered by immigration authorities will deal with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.The exact details of how the program will work, including how much immigrants will have to pay to apply and what proof they will need, still are being worked out.In making it harder to deport, the Obama administration is in essence employing the same eligibility requirements spelled out in the proposed DREAM Act.The administration officials stopped short of calling the change an administrative DREAM Act – the name is an acronym for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors – but the qualifications meet those laid out in a 2010 version that failed in the Senate after passing in the House. They said the DREAM Act, in some form, and comprehensive overhaul of the immigration system remained an administration priority.Undocumented immigrant children won't be eligible to apply for the deportation waiver until they turn 16, but the officials said younger children won't be deported either.Last year, Napolitano announced plans to review about 300,000 pending deportation cases and indefinitely suspend those that didn't meet department priorities. So far, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reviewed more than 232,000 cases and decided to stop working on about 20,000. About 4,000 of those 20,000 have opted to keep fighting in court to stay in the United States legally. For the people who opted to close their cases, work permits are not guaranteed.

By a margin of 5 to 4, the Senate committee voted to move closer to creating a statewide domestic partnership registry (DPR) that would provide essential legal protections for unmarried couples including hospital visitation, correctional facility visitation, end of life decision making and burial arrangements.

A majority of Floridians already live in a local community that has a domestic partnership registry. Places like Pinellas County, Volusia County, Orange County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Key West, Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville, Tavares, Clearwater and North Miami already have registries. The Families First bill would eliminate the patchwork of policies and allow people to have important legal protections for their family, no matter where they live.

"The bill passed with support from both Democrats and Republicans and its success combined with the strong bipartisan sponsorship of the Florida Competitive Workforce Act signals a new day in Florida," said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida. "This is a reflection of the change in public opinion favoring legal equality for all Florida couples. Our political leaders are finally listening to the pain inflicted on couples who are treated as legal strangers. And they are listening to the growing voice of business leaders who are calling for statewide protections that will help them attract and retain a diverse workforce."

Local Domestic Partnership Registries now protect roughly 50% of Florida's population. The protections are vital especially since the state has a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality.

Senator Sobel has championed this bill and told her fellow committee members "Today we made history." The bill now moves on to the next committee.

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. www.eqfl.org

Moments ago the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. The bill would address discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based on the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Currently there is no federal law against sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination and it is perfectly legal to fire lesbian, gay and bisexual people under the laws of 29 states and transgender people are not protected by the laws of 34 states.

“Discrimination is just plain wrong. It is shocking that there is still anywhere in America where it is legal to fire someone for their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Sen. Merkley, the lead sponsor of the bill said. “Americans understand that it’s time to make sure our LGBT friends and family are treated fairly and have the same opportunities as all Americans. Now it’s time for our laws to catch up. People should be judged at work on their ability to do the job, period.”

HRC has been advocating for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act since it was first introduced in 1994 and its passage is a top organizational priority. The last time a Senate committee considered ENDA was 2002 when Sen. Kennedy was the HELP Committee Chairman, and this is the first time a gender identity inclusive bill is set to see action. Current committee Chairman Tom Harkin has pledged a committee mark-up and Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he wants to bring the bill to the floor and HRC urges them to take these critical steps.

Americans support ENDA. A November 2011 poll by HRC showed that 77 percent of voters support protecting LGBT people from discrimination in employment. This includes 70 percent of Republicans and 69 percent of seniors. Voters are also unaware that current federal law does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation with 87 percent believing that kind of discrimination to be illegal and only 5 percent correctly knowing that it remains legal.

Among Fortune 500 companies, 88 percent have sexual orientation non-discrimination policies and 57 percent have gender identity non-discrimination policies. Additionally, more than 90 companies have joined the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness, a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Yesterday the Mormon Church offered their stamp of approval to the Boy Scouts of America’s proposed resolution to lift the ban on openly gay scouts.

While HRC last week called out the resolution for its continued discrimination against openly gay Scout leaders, the support from the Church of Latter Day Saints marks a big moment for a religion that previous stood adamantly against LGBT equality.

“This is a clear move in the right direction and we applaud the change the LDS church for taking this important step," said HRC Religion and Faith Director Sharon Groves. "There are many LGBT youth within the Mormon faith who today feel a little more supported by the Church."

"As the largest sponsor of Scout troops in the nation, the LDS church has the power to transform the lives of young men everywhere," said Groves. "We ask that they follow the example of their forebearers and exercise true leadership."

HRC is calling on Boy Scouts to open the proud tradition of scouting to not just gay scouts, but leaders and staff as well.

Representatives from the more than 300 local Boy Scout councils will soon vote on the ban on gay scouts and leaders. Send a letter to your local council now.

What is the current federal policy on gay and bisexual men donating blood?Current federal regulations require any man who has had sex since 1977 with another man, even once, to be deferred from donating blood. Blood centers nationwide screen potential donors by asking a set of questions written to determine risk factors that could indicate possible infection with a transmissible disease, such as HIV or hepatitis. According to the Food and Drug Administration, this pre-screening eliminates up to 90 percent of donors who may be carrying a blood-borne disease.

Who writes the policy?The FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research regulates and establishes standards for the collection of blood and blood products. The center receives advise on this issue by the Blood Products Advisory Council, which meets regularly to consider issues such as altering the pool of potential blood donors.

If officials can test for HIV in blood, why don’t they allow anyone to donate and then destroy tainted units?Every donated unit of blood undergoes a rigorous series of tests to determine any possible presence of HIV, hepatitis, syphilis and other blood-borne disease. None of these tests, however, are 100 percent accurate, and they can produce faulty results. For instance, despite current restrictions and testing of approximately 12 million units donated each year, 10 HIV-infected units have slipped through. To ensure the safety of blood and other tissues for donation, the FDA uses scientific data to automatically defer certain populations. Because gay and bisexual men have higher incidence of disease, they are eliminated from the donor pool immediately.

What should the federal policy be?The current policy does not treat persons with like risks in a similar way. It also believes that donors are deferred based on their membership in a group — in this case, all men who have sex with men — rather than engagement in risky behavior, such as unprotected sex. For example, a man who has had protected oral sex with another man once in 1977 and has not engaged in sex since that time is currently barred from donating blood. Yet a woman who has had unprotected sex with multiple partners over the past year with no knowledge of their personal histories remains in the donor pool.

Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, City of Miami Beach Mayor & Commissioners, Physician Consultants, Miami Beach Gay Pride, Pridelines Youth Services, along with dozens of local & national organizations, believes that the integrity and safety of the blood supply in this country should be preserved, strengthened and maintained. Any change or alteration in the regulations governing donor suitability must be based in sound science. The federal government must invest in new research to study risk behavior. It also must consider revising the donor questionnaires so that they focus on more refined and specific behavioral criteria, like recent sexual histories that include unprotected sex or significant numbers of sexual partners over the previous year.

I am writing you as the director of the Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, the first & only non-profit whose focus is the Leadership, Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBTQ rights (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) - Advancing Equality since 2002… as well as a first-generation American of Cuban decent.

Your recent decision to award Mariela Castro for her efforts and advancement on behalf of Cuba’s LGBT community - although totally with your rights as a group to do so - was, respectfully, short sighted, insensitive and simply with lack of merit or accuracy.

To reward any element of the decades-old dictatorship, especially for positive efforts on human rights - was an unfortunate and ill-informed decision. The daughter and niece of the Castro dictators all have blood on their hands. Her marches and public spectacles are nothing more than photo opps for a willing and enabling media that does not seem to want to ask too many questions...Like why are dozens of LGBT leaders within Cuba routinely arrested, beaten and not heard of for weeks - and often killed - EVERY TIME she presents herself and her hand-picked "supporters"? If in fact Cuba's LGBT community is improving under her direction, then why are these and thousands of other voices silenced every day in Cuba?

If you think my statements are inaccurate or exaggerated, I simply ask you how many LGBT dissidents within the island do you communicate with regularly? How many do you have contact with and monitor the realities they live with there? How many of your friends or relatives have jumped into an unforgiving ocean because they can no longer live under the Castro's oppression?

We have and maintain these relationships, and do so regularly - with dozens of true Cuban LGBT heroes- risking their lives each day for simply standing up to the Castro dictatorship. Mariela is just as responsible for their realities and deserves to be tried for crimes against the Cuban people - NOT rewarded for a P.R. creation of her doing and paraded around. There is a reason Miami's Cuban community is as impassioned and enraged at Cuba's daily abuses against ALL its people…We stay connected, informed and involved with people within this island.

It is unfortunate that Equality Forum chose to not inform themselves or reach out to other LGBT organizations that DO KNOW what's going on in the island, before taking this ignorant and disappointing position. Equality Forum has all the RIGHT to award whomever the wish - that's why we live here in the U.S.... But make no mistake, it is a sad reflection on your lack of understanding and sensitivity towards LGBT Cubans and THEIR REALITY.

I and my organization stand ready, willing and able to work with you in the future to inform and avoid something as unfortunate and hurtful as this from occurring again.

Rubio continues his back-tracking from CIR and uses the vulnerable members of our community as his scapegoat. He's made the choice to play party politics over committing to our families...he needs to be held accountable!

Senator Marco Rubio says our families will "kill" immigration reform. What will really kill the bill, though, is Senator Rubio's growing list of excuses for withdrawing his support. Pick up the phone and let him know we're not caving to his threats and our families will not be scapegoated. Then, share this graphic and ask your friends to do the same.

Marriage rulings make federal protections available for up to 114,000 legally married same-sex couples nationwide and open marriage to CA’s estimated 1.1 million LGBT adults

June 26, 2013... The Supreme Court’s rulings regarding the federal Defense of Marriage Act in United States v. Windsor and regarding California’s Proposition 8 in Hollingsworth v. Perry have important social, economic and legal consequences for the nation’s approximately 650,000 same-sex couples living in shared households, of which an estimated 114,100 are legally married. Federal recognition of same-sex couples’ marriages may affect how same-sex couples are treated in relation to a range of federal policies, including immigration, taxation and benefits. Further, the Williams Institute estimates that, over the next three years, 37,000 California same-sex couples are likely to marry and the state economy will gain approximately $492 million in new business revenue from same-sex couples’ weddings.

“In striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, the Supreme Court recognized that DOMA ‘writes inequality into the entire U.S. Code’,” said Brad Sears, Executive Director of the Williams Institute and Roberta A. Conroy Scholar of Law and Policy. “It acknowledged that DOMA materially harms same-sex couples and their children by depriving them of over 1,000 protections and benefits under federal law and by relegating these families to a ‘second-class’ status.”

“By lifting the legal, economic and social burdens previously imposed on same-sex couples by DOMA, the Court’s ruling provides same-sex couples with access to the federal benefits that are designed to strengthen families,” said M.V. Lee Badgett, Williams Institute Research Director and Professor of Economics at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

For couples who have entered into legal marriages that are recognized by the federal government, the Windsor ruling could have important consequences across a range of issues:• IMMIGRATION: An estimated 24,700 same-sex couples are bi-national (one US citizen and one non-citizen) along with 11,700 same-sex couples comprised of two non-citizens. The Windsor DOMA ruling has opened the door for a citizen to obtain permanent residence for a non-citizen, same-sex spouse, and expedited citizenship for a resident, same-sex spouse.• SOCIAL SECURITY: Surviving spouses of same-sex couples could gain access to spousal social security benefits, which could add up to more than $5,700 to the monthly income of the surviving spouse.• HEALTH CARE: Same-sex couples working in the private sector pay, on average, $1,000 more than different-sex couples in taxes for employer-sponsored healthcare. Same-sex spouses in federally recognized marriages might no longer be subject to this additional tax burden.• FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Same-sex spouses of federal employees could be eligible for employee benefits that are currently provided to employees with different-sex spouses.• ESTATE TAX: In situations similar to that of plaintiff Edith Windsor in the DOMA case, same-sex spouses who are affected by the estate tax would no longer be subject to a greater federal estate tax burden upon the death of a spouse than similarly-situated different-sex married couples face.“The Court’s rulings establish the unconstitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act and ensure that same-sex couples can marry in California, but do not clarify how courts should address other laws that discriminate against LGBT persons,” said David Codell, Visiting Legal Director of the Williams Institute. “The rulings thus continue to leave open the fate of many federal and state laws and policies that discriminate against LGBT persons in relationship recognition, employment, adoption and foster care, health care, housing, and other areas.”

The ruling in Hollingsworth v. Perry will open marriage to a same-sex spouse for California’s estimated 1.1 million LGBT adults and nearly 200,000 individuals who are already part of a same-sex couple, but leave 5.5 million LGBT Americans, including more than 800,000 who are part of a same-sex couple, living in states without marriage equality.

“As a result of the court’s ruling, more people are living in states where same-sex couples can marry than ever before,” said Gary Gates, Williams Institute Distinguished Scholar. Prior to today’s ruling, 18 percent of the entire U.S. population and 22 percent of same-sex couples lived in the 12 states, and the District of Columbia, where same-sex couples can legally marry. By adding California, 30 percent of the entire U.S. population and 37 percent of same-sex couples will now live in states that extend marriage to same-sex couples.

As has been true in other states, allowing same-sex couples to marry will also have positive economic consequences for California. Institute research suggests that California will gain approximately $46 million in tax and fee revenue from the weddings of same-sex couples, and the state’s economy will gain $492 million in business revenue over the next three years.-------------------------------------------------

PRESIDENT OBAMA STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE DOMA DECISION:

....."So we welcome today’s decision, and I’ve directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly."

or by telephone:1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)—main FDA Phone Number (for general inquiries)

UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA recognized by HONOR41 as one of Top LGBTQ Organizations in the U.S.– The only one in Florida

contribute to the well being of the Latina/o LGBTQ by providing services, support and a sense of belonging.“It was incredibly inspiring to learn about the work these organizations are doing locally and nationally and really demonstrates how the overlapping issues that affects us as Latinos and LGBTQ individuals really can unite us” said Alberto B. Mendoza, Founder of Honor 41 “The toughest part to compiling this list was narrowing it down to just 41”Honor 41 produces The 41 List, an annual listing honoring 41 Latina/o LGBTQ Role Models. The 41 List: Organizations is a special edition celebrating organizations that support the Latina/o LGBTQ community directly and indirectly.Honor 41's name originates from a hate crime in Mexico City in which 41 men were beaten, arrested, and eventually disappeared for their sexual orientation. Since the incident in 1901, the number 41 has been used as slang in Mexico to refer to a person of different sexual orientation. Honor 41 confronts the terrible history behind the number and reclaims it to honor inspirational individuals and organizations in the LGBTQ community and proudly remember the arduous path toward acceptance and equality.Honor 41 is a national online, non-profit organization that promotes positive images of the Latina/o LGBTQ community, creates awareness about issues that impact us and builds an online social and professional online network for us and our allies.UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA is the First & Only organization for the So. Fla. Latino|Hispanic|LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) Community - advancing Equality since 2002.“We are thrilled, honored and humbled by this national recognition” said Herb Sosa, founder & director of Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida. The Honor 41 list includes the Best of the LGBT leadership across the U.S. This is a huge recognition that we accept with pride on behalf of our community”

Education Department Announces that All Legal Same-Sex Marriages Will Be Recognized for Federal Financial Aid Purposes

As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to implement inclusive policies that reflect the diversity of American families, and consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in United States v. Windsor, the Department announced today new guidance on the use of “marriage” and “spouse” in the federal student aid programs, including on the completion of the FAFSA, the federal student aid form.

The new guidance is based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Windsor, which struck down a key part of DOMA. Under today’s guidance, the Department will recognize a student or a parent as legally married if the couple was legally married in any jurisdiction that recognizes the marriage, regardless of whether the marriage is between a couple of the same sex or opposite sex, and regardless of where the student or couple lives or the student is attending school. This guidance impacts all questions concerning marriage and marital status on the FAFSA.

Before the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Windsor, the Department had interpreted all provisions of Title IV of the Higher Education Act – which authorizes the federal student aid programs – consistent with Section 3 of DOMA, which prohibited all federal agencies from recognizing same-sex marriages. Specifically, Section 3 provides that “the word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” This meant that while a student under 24 who was married to an opposite sex spouse was considered independent for financial aid purposes, that same student would have been considered dependent if he or she was married to a same sex spouse because the marriage was not previously recognized. In Windsor, the Supreme Court held that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional because it violates the principles of due process and equal protection.

“We must continue to ensure that every single American is treated equally in the eyes of the law, and this important guidance for students is another step forward in that effort,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “As students fill out their FAFSA this coming year, I'm thrilled they'll be able to do so in a way that is more fair and just.”

In April 2013, the Department began efforts to make the FAFSA more inclusive of all students, regardless of their parents’ marital status. In order to more accurately and fairly assess a student’s need for aid, the Department announced that beginning with the 2014-2015 FAFSA, it will collect income and other information from both of a dependent student's legal parents regardless of the parents' marital status or gender, if those parents live together. To do so, the 2014-2015 FAFSA will provide a new option for dependent applicants to describe their parents' marital status as "unmarried and both parents living together." Additionally, where appropriate, the new FAFSA form will also use terms like "Parent 1 (father/mother/stepparent)" and "Parent 2 (father/mother/stepparent)" instead of gender-specific terms like "mother" and "father." A copy of the new FAFSA form, which will be released on Jan. 1, is attached. The vast majority of FAFSA forms are filed electronically using FAFSA on the Web.

The information provided by students and parents on the FAFSA is used to calculate the student's expected family contribution (EFC), which determines the student's eligibility for federal need-based student aid as well as for many state, institutional and private aid programs. It is critical that both of a dependent student's parents help pay, to the extent they are able, for the educational expenses of their child. Collecting parental information from both of a dependent student's legal parents will result in fair treatment of all families by eliminating longstanding inequities based on parents' relationship with each other rather than on their relationship with their child.

Today’s guidance furthers those efforts by providing guidance on how students should apply for federal student aid, since now legally married same-sex couples will be treated as married for all FAFSA and EFC calculation purposes. For the 2014-2015 FAFSA and subsequent years, responses to questions about marital status must be in accordance with the guidance the Department laid out today in a Dear Colleague Letter that was posted to the Department’s Information for Financial Aid Professionals website (ifap.ed.gov).

The impact on the 2013-2014 FAFSA – which students used and can continue to use to apply for aid for this school year – depends on whether the student has already submitted a 2013-2014 FAFSA. Students who have not yet submitted a 2013-2014 FAFSA are expected to respond to all questions related to marital status in accordance with the updated guidance. A student who previously submitted a 2013-2014 FAFSA, but who was unable to respond to marital status questions as “married” due to Section 3 of DOMA, may choose to submit a correction. These optional corrections will be permitted since they do not represent a change in marital status, but rather an acknowledgment of the marital status at the time of the initial 2013-2014 FAFSA submission. This choice only applies if the impacted student and/or parent were legally married at the time the FAFSA was initially completed.

For more information about federal student aid, visit the Department's website: studentaid.ed.gov

"It is an honor for Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida to be recognized by President Obama," said Sosa, who co-founded the organization in 2002 and serves as its current president. “Giving back, empowering and leveling the playing field for ALL in our community has always been our focus at UC|CU. Our work is 100% funded by events & private donations, and we are 100% staffed & managed by volunteers. Everything that comes in, goes right back out for programming, community building, leading & assisting our LGBTQ community. Being recognized for our contributions by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and the Leader of the Free World is quite simply, humbling. Going to the White House as a guest of the President, as a first generation Cuban-American, is something I consider a highlight in my career and a huge honor for me, my organization and my family” added Sosa.

There is much work to be done in Florida, including protection for all on employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, immigration reform and marriage equality – just to name a few. Florida is among the 29 states which have no statewide laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination. Recognitions and opportunities like this one will hopefully bring further attention to these important issues – not just for Floridians, but for all Americans.

Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida applauds Presdient Obama and the incredible strides and efforts he has already led for LGBT Equality, and we urge him to continue in his Legacy of Full Equality and Respect for All in this great land. We will be a far better country and people for it.

July 17, 2014...(Reuters) - A county judge in Florida struck down on Thursday the state's gay marriage ban, the latest in a string of court rulings across the United States voiding state laws that restrict the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Circuit Judge Luis Garcia, whose jurisdiction includes the Florida Keys, ordered the Monroe County Clerk of Court to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples next Tuesday. While the ruling applies to only one Florida county, it marks the first decision in several court cases across the state challenging a same-sex marriage ban approved by Florida voters in 2008. Garcia ruled in favor of two male bartenders living in Key West seeking the right to marry, saying Florida's gay marriage ban violated their rights to equal protection under the U.S. Constitution. Aaron Huntsman and William Lee Jones, both 43, told Reuters they cried after lawyers texted them with the news. "It is a life-changing event," said Huntsman, who had been on the phone seeking health insurance that he may now qualify for through marriage. "We're taking it one minute at a time."

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Republican, is appealing the decision, a spokeswoman said, stating that the final decision on the issue must come from the U.S. Supreme Court. Republican Governor Rick Scott adopted a more neutral position. "Governor Scott supports traditional marriage, consistent with the amendment approved by Florida voters in 2008, but does not believe that anyone should be discriminated against for any reason," John Tupps, the governor's press secretary, told Reuters.

Under Florida law, a stay automatically goes into effect when a public official appeals an adverse decision, according to Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, one of the attorneys representing gay couples in a Miami lawsuit. "The plaintiffs can appeal to the circuit judge and ask him to lift the stay," Minter added.

Florida is the 18th U.S. state where courts have ruled against prohibitions on same-sex marriage since last year's Supreme Court ruling striking down parts of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which had defined marriage as between one man and one woman, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group. In his ruling, Garcia acknowledged that a majority of Florida voters had opposed same-sex marriage. "But it is our country's proud history to protect the rights of the individual, the rights of the unpopular and the rights of the powerless, even at the cost of offending the majority," Garcia wrote.

John Stemberger, who heads a conservative group that pushed for the 2008 same-sex marriage ban, said, "The judge in this decision has disrespected and in essence disenfranchised just under 5 million voters who ... defined this issue in our state constitution." Garcia's ruling triggered muted celebrations statewide as gay couples sensed the justice system was moving in their direction. "Imagine the day we could have the rights everybody else does. I never thought it would happen, and it's about time," said Luiz Felipe Cavalcanti, 48, a real estate broker who joined a gathering at the Miami Beach Gay and Lesbian Visitors Center.

“The cure for AIDS may have been on that plane.”According to initial reports, dozens headed for an international AIDS conference were aboard Flight MH17, including Joep Lange, a prominent HIV researcher. The exact number remains unconfirmed.

A number of passengers aboard the Malaysia Airlines downed in Ukraine were reportedly delegatesto an international AIDS conference in Australia and people traveling with them. According to initialreports, as many as 108 people on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, were headed to the 20thInternational AIDS Conference, due to begin Sunday. But the exact number of those on board whowere attending the conference remains unconfirmed as the airline has yet to release a passengermanifest.

In a statement, the ADIS 2014 organizers said they are “continuing to work with the authorities toclarify how the tragic loss of Malaysian Airlines flight MH 17 impacts our conference delegates, ourconference partners, and our community as a whole. In recognition of our colleagues’ dedication tothe fight against HIV/AIDS, the conference will go ahead as planned and will include opportunities toreflect and remember those we have lost.”

Chris Beyrer, who will take over the presidency of the International AIDS Society at the end of theglobal conference next week, told the Washington Post Friday that after speaking to authorities hewas hopeful that “the actual number is much smaller” than 108. Beyrer told the Post that it appearsthat the numbers are “an order of magnitude smaller than what has been reported.”

Lange, a former president of the International AIDS society, headed the Department of Global Healthat the University of Amsterdam. “Joep had an absolute commitment to HIV treatment and care inAsia and Africa,” Professor David A. Cooper, director of the Kirby Institute, said. “The joy incollaborating with Joep was that he would always bring a fresh view, a unique take on things, andhe never accepted that something was impossible to achieve. Our joint work in Bangkok, the HIVNATcentre, will stand as his legacy.”

In addition to Lange, his partner Jacqueline was also killed in the crash, the statement said.

BREAKING NEWS: January 5, 2015... At 2pm today, same-sex couples in Miami-Dade County will be able to marry, now that a state judge has lifted their stay from a July marriage ruling. CONGRATULATIONS FLORIDA!

Miami, Florida… 46 year old Kristina Gomez Reinwald, AKA Kristina Grant Infiniti was found on Sunday, Feb 15th, unresponsive at her home in the 2000 block of Southwest 58th Court, Miami, Florida.

The death was originally ruled by authorities as a suicide, later changed to a homicide. Detectives are looking into the possibility that her ex-boyfriend was suspected of stabbing her to death. Kristina now unfortunately becomes the latest transwoman whose life was taken by a murderer who needs to be expeditiously brought to justice. Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida joins TransMiami and the LGBT community as a whole in calling for LOVE, HEALING, AND UNDERSTANDING of and about our transgender brothers & sisters, an END TO TRANSGENDER VIOLENCE & DISCRIMINATION – though education, law enforcement, community understanding & support.

ADDITIONALLY… Police have arrested an Akron, OH,father in connection with the February 13 stabbingdeath of his child Bri Golec, a 22-year-old trans woman.Golec is being mourned nationally as the sixth U.S.trans woman murdered within the first six weeks of2015, in what the National Coalition of Anti-ViolencePrograms has called an "alarming, fatal epidemic ofviolence against transgender andgender-nonconforming women, specificallytransgender women of color in the United States."

In addition to Golec, this year has seen the murdersof trans women of color Penny Proud, 21, in NewOrleans, La.; Taja DeJesus, 36, in San Francisco,Calif.; Yazmin Vash Payne, 33, in Los Angeles, Calif.;Ty Underwood, 24, in North Tyler, Tx.; and Lamia Beard,30, in Norfolk, Va.

March 4, 2015 - Today is the first day of the state legislative session in Tallahassee and already mean-spirited,anti-transgender legislation has been put on the calendar for a vote.

The Transgender Discrimination Bill, H.B. 583, seeks to criminalize transgender people by making it illegal for themto enter sex-segregated facilities such as bathrooms, locker rooms, or dressing rooms. H.B. 583 would also compelbusinesses to discriminate against their own employees and customers, and invalidate nondiscrimination policies thatalready exist on the local level.The legislation has been placed on tomorrow’s agenda for the House Civil Justice Committee. The three-hour committeemeeting begins at 12:30pm.

Contact the representatives who sit on the committee that will vote TODAY:State your OPPOSITION to HB 583 – Politely but Firmly!

Bill supporters are using the same lies and scare tactics we have seen defeated time and again, anchoring the purpose for the bill in concerns about transgender people and public safety in public facilities. To date, 17 states and 28 municipalities in Florida have passed and successfully implemented human rights ordinances that provide protections to the transgender community with absolutely no increase in public safety incidents. The bills sponsor, Rep. Frank Artiles (R-Miami), has been a vocal opponent to the recent addition of “gender identity and expression” to the Miami-Dade County human rights ordinance and has filed this bill, in part, to block these recently won protections.

The bill is one of the most anti-transgender bills filed in the country. "It leaves transgender people, businesses, and schools open to frivolous lawsuits and hurts Florida’s reputation nationwide."

APRIL 28, 2015... The office of Florida State Rep. Frank Artiles confirms his controversial bill, aimed to punish anyone who uses a public bathroom that doesn’t match the sex they were assigned at birth, is dead — and cannot be revived, as this legislative session is over.

Nadine Smith, co-founder and CEO of Equality Florida, which led the grassroots coalition to stop the transphobic and discriminatory proposal, first broke the news to The Advocate.

“We joined with other states in rejecting this hostile bill,” said Smith. “The silver lining in Florida has been the transgender community becoming more visible in Tallahassee.”

The offices of Artiles and co-sponsor State Rep. Dennis Baxley confirmed to The Advocate the bills in both the House and the Florida Senate died in committee. The House members were said to be not available for comment.

HB 583, the “Single-Sex Public Facilities” bill, or as it was dubbed, Florida’s “Bathroom Bill,” would have made it illegal for any trans citizen to use a single-sex restroom that does not match the gender they were assigned at birth. Such a violation would result in a first-degree misdemeanor charge, punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. The law would also open the owner of any establishment where a trans person uses the restroom to lawsuits from other patrons, as they would be "liable in a civil action to any person who is lawfully using the same single-sex public facility."

Artiles filed the bill in response to a recent ordinance that banned discrimination based on gender identity and expression in public facilities throughout Miami-Dade County, noted the Miami Herald. The lawmaker explained his proposed bill as a way to ensure "public safety," rather than a means to criminalize trans citizens.

"It's not that the transgender or the gender identity community is dangerous by any means," he explained, "but [the ordinance] creates a giant loophole for criminals, sexual predators to walk into a shower, a woman's locker room under the cover of law."

He then went on to explain his vision of what some trans people using public facilities looks like, stating to the Herald, "A man such as myself can walk into the bathroom at L.A. Fitness while women are taking showers, changing, and simply walk in there. Someone can say, 'What are you doing there?' Under the ordinance, I don't have to respond. It's a subjective. If I feel like a woman that day, I can be allowed to be in that locker room. I don't know about you, but I find that disturbing."

Artiles' argument echoes one often decried by trans advocates as inflammatory and baseless, and which has seen recent debates in Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, and Kentucky: That trans people, and especially trans women, are predatory or threaten the safety of others in public bathrooms. As many advocates have pointed out, it is actually trans people who are more likely to be harassed or physically attacked in public facilities.

Florida LGBT rights advocates reacted strongly to the bill, including the ACLU of Florida. "This 'show your papers to pee bill' denigrates both transgender and non-transgender people alike," Daniel Tilley, the group's LGBT rights staff attorney told the Herald. "In addition to dehumanizing transgender people in particular, it invites humiliation and harassment of anyone who is not considered sufficiently feminine or masculine in the eyes of the beholder."

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA Joins National Campaign to Shape the Future of LGBTQ CommunityOur Tomorrow campaign invites LGBTQ people everywhere to share their hopes, fears and ideas for the future

May 12, 2015…Miami, Florida - UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA has teamed up with Our Tomorrow (www.shareourtomorrow.org)—a grassroots and digital campaign to engage LGBTQ people across the country in a conversation about their hopes, fears and ideas for the future of the movement.

“This is an historic moment for our movement. We’ve made a lot of progress on important issues like marriage equality, but we still have a long way to go,” said [your spokesperson]. ”Our Tomorrow is an opportunity for each of us to make our voices heard in a national conversation about the future of the LGBTQ movement.”

The Our Tomorrow campaign invites anyone interested in participating to visit http://bit.ly/ourtomorrow95 and share their hopes, fears and ideas. Posts will be featured on the Our Tomorrow website, where anyone interested in the future of the movement can learn about issues on the minds of LGBTQ people across the country.

“Our Tomorrow represents the first time a major social movement has initiated a national public dialogue to generate inspiration, information and ideas for its future,” said Our Tomorrow campaign manager Lee Swislow. “This conversation will help create a shared, movement-wide vision for a bigger, bolder, more inclusive movement that speaks to the hopes and needs of the full diversity of the LGBTQ community.”

Insights and ideas from Our Tomorrow will also be shared with more than 70 nonprofit organizations and foundations that have sponsored the campaign. To see a full list of Our Tomorrow partners, visit www.shareourtomorrow.org/partners.

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA has pledged to play an active role by participating & inviting our community to TAKE THE SURVEY!

June 26, 2015 - Miami, Florida…Today’s historic Supreme Court ruling means same-sex couples will soon have the freedom to marry and equal respect for their marriages across America. This ruling will bring joy to many families, and final nationwide victory to the decades-long debate.

“UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA, the First & Only organization for the So. Fla. Latino|Hispanic|LGBTQ, has been working tirelessly, along with local & national leaders & organizations, to educate, inform and prepare for this momentous day. Words cannot express the feeling of EQUALITY, FAIRNESS and JUSTICE this decision brings. We are all EQUAL, and have right to the love, and have that love legally recognized & respected. Thanks to today’s Supreme Court ruling, our community is one step closer to this!” - Herb Sosa, director, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida

WHY IS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE SIGNIFICANT? :• This is a momentous win for freedom, equality, inclusion,and above all, love. We can celebrate that ours is a country thatkeeps its promise of the pursuit of happiness, liberty, andjustice for all.

• The justices have affirmed what a bipartisansupermajority—60%—of Americans have come to understand:the freedom to marry is a precious, fundamental right thatbelongs to all.

• Contrary to our opposition’s scary predictions, the 37states that already have marriage have proven that when gaypeople share in the freedom to marry, families are helped andno one is hurt. Today’s victory will bring joy to hundreds ofthousands of same-sex couples and their families who havethe same dreams of, and need for, marriage as any others.

• We hope state officials move swiftly to implement theConstitution’s command in the remaining 13 states withmarriage discrimination. Same-sex couples and their familieshave waited long enough.

• While the work toward equality for all Americans is farfrom over, the campaign for the freedom to marry has beentransformative in helping Americans understand who gaypeople are.

• We must harness the momentum from the marriage conversation to the work of securing additional advances towards equality, especially nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. It’s unacceptable that hardworking LGBT people can still be fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, and denied service in restaurants and shops simply for being who they are.

JOIN THE CELEBRATION |SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS NOW LEGAL IN ALL 50 STATES!

WHAT IS SPIRIT DAY?Spirit Day began in 2010 as a way to show support for LGBT youth and take a stand againstbullying. Spirit Day now occurs every year on the third Thursday in October, during National BullyingPrevention Month, and has become the most visible day of support for LGBT youth.Where did the idea come from?An amazing teenager, Brittany McMillan, wanted to remember those young people who lost their lives to suicide and to take a stand against bullying.Who participates?Students, schools, organizations, corporations, media professionals, celebrities, parents and many more. Everyone from Oprah to Cher to Facebook and MTV have gone purple for Spirit Day. Even the White House joined the cause!

How do I get involved?1- It's easy! The first step – pledge to go purple now! Turn your profile pic to PURPLE, spread the word and stand up against bullying! OR, send us your profile pic NOW, and we will turn it purple for YOU – FREE! info@unitycoalition.org2- CLICK HERE to see how you can help STOP BULLYING, and donate to the important efforts of UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA, Pridelines, Safe Schools, GLSEN & the Trevor Project.

Even though same-sex marriage is now legal in Florida, it's also still completely within the law for an employer to fire someone for being gay or a landlord to deny housing to a transgender tenant in large swaths of the state. For the tenth time, a coalition of bipartisan lawmakers (yes, even some Republicans) and some of Florida's biggest employers tried to change this by supporting the Florida Competitive Workplace Act. It failed again after dying today in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

However, this was the first time the bill actually received a hearing in all the years it's been introduced. Plus, if it did somehow make its way through the Republican-controlled Senate, it likely would have died in the much more conservative House. Gov. Rick Scott hadn't specifically addressed the bill this year, but given his history on gay rights, it's unlikely he would have signed it, anyway.

Yet, social conservatives in the Judiciary Committee got hung up on the idea of transgender people using bathrooms and the threats of frivolous lawsuits. The bill was initially met with a 6-6 vote on Monday. Sponsor Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, used a procedural move to bring it up for discussion again yesterday, but the bill was ultimately tabled. Meaning that it's more than likely dead.

Sure, several counties and municipalities have ordinances that protect LGBT rights. Fifty-five percent of the state's population are covered by those local laws, and if you live in South Florida, you're protected. However, 45 percent of the state's population doesn't live in areas with those local laws.

Of course, in the areas where such laws already exist there hasn't been a rise in frivolous lawsuits or bathroom troubles, but Republicans in the Florida legislature never let facts get in the way of making a decision.

Scott has tried to rebrand Florida as business-friendly, but the harsh death of the bill wasn't too friendly to the numerous businesses who supported it, including Walt Disney World, the Home Shopping Network, Carnival Cruise Line, the Miami Heat, Winn-Dixie, Raymond James, AT&T, Darden, Marriott, and more.

A New York LGBT homeless charity has reached a crucial funding target – ahead of a bid to buy an anti-LGBT church at auction.A court recently ordered that Harlem’s infamous ATLAH World Missionary Church – which has signs advocating the death penalty for gay people – be put up for auction over £1 million in unpaid debts.

In a fantastic tactical move, New York LGBT homeless charity the Ali Forney Center launched an online fundraising campaign in a bid to buy the church and turn it into an LGBT centre.

Harnessing the power of the internet and karmic justice, the AFC hit their $200,000 donation funding target today with 14 days to go until the auction.In a statement, AFC Executive Director Carl Siciliano said: “It has been an extraordinary two weeks.“We have been overwhelmed with support and encouragement and now have the opportunity to turn a place that has promoted hatred and violence into a safe space for LGBT homeless youth.

“Ali Forney, who inspired the founding of the organization, was murdered in Harlem in 1997, only 12 blocks from ATLAH. In 2013 Islan Nettles was beaten to death in Harlem only one mile from ATLAH.

“Could there be a more just outcome to the ATLAH foreclosure than that the young LGBT people most endangered by the hatred and contempt Manning promotes would take over his building.”

He added: “AFC’s acquiring the beautiful and historic building that now stands as a symbol of hate would be extraordinary, but the bottom line is this: the Ali Forney Center has 200 youths per night on the waiting list for our beds.

“As an organization, we have no obligation more urgent than to increase our capacity to provide housing to these vulnerable youth.

“With the support of the Harlem community, those who have contributed and many others offering to help, we approach the February 24th auction with confidence and hope.”However, it’s not a done deal – and there’s a number of other bidders who are after the church for development projects.

Mr Siciliano continued: “Given the real estate market in Harlem we anticipate the bidding will go significantly higher than the $1.02M owed and we are in discussion with potential developers and investors to acquire the building and we anticipate having a partner by the time of the auction.

“We will continue fundraising through the #HarlemNoHate campaign and make every effort to be in as strong a position as possible to acquire the building.”

However, the church’s homophobic pastor James David Manning, who famously believes that Starbucks flavours lattes with the “semen of Sodomites”, is NOT happy about the move.

He vented last week: “They’re going to turn this church into a bathhouse, they’re going to turn this church into a homeless building for the sodomites.“The sodomites are sick as hell! This is the lord’s house! This ain’t no damn bathhouse! It ain’t no fag house!

“And before you can ever own this property, men who are fags with testicles will be carrying babies in their testicles and giving birth to them through their anus.

“That’s how impossible it is for you to get this house. When you start carrying a baby in your bags and birthing that baby through your ass… then you can own this house!”

He added: “Until I see you pull a baby out your ass, you ain’t gonna pull this church out from underneath us.

The Florida State Senate Rules Committee voted to move ahead with the "pastor protection" bill in TallahasseeFebruary 17, 2016

WHAT IS IT, and DOES FLORIDA NEED IT? The bill deflects attention towards an invented problem - that LGBTQ people are "forcing" clergy to marry them - rather than focus on the REAL ISSUES and CHALLENGES that Floridians face every day. In one of the last hurdles to becoming law, the bill heads next to a vote before the full Florida Senate.

FACT: Pastors and clergy have always had the right to decide who their houses of worship will and won’t marry. The U.S. Constitution's First Amendment guarantee of religious freedom makes that clear.

Thank you’s are in order for Rules Committee Vice Chair Darren Soto, as well as his colleagues Senators Audrey Gibson and Bill Montford, for voting NO on this unnecessary distraction from the real issue at hand - the need for protections from discrimination for ALL Floridians.

For a list of So.Fla. LGBT FRIENDLY FAITH CENTERS, CLICK:

Historic U.S. Department of Education Guidance Affirms the Rights of Transgender Students

May 13, 2016...Today, the U.S. Department of Education released a historic letter to the nation’s school districts that affirms that discriminating against transgender students is illegal under Title IX.

“For so many students, the Department of Education’s letter is literally life-saving. It tells transgender students that they’re not fighting against daily ignorance and exclusion alone: the federal government is prepared to fight right beside them to ensure that all schools are following the law. It tells them that they deserve to be treated with the same respect as everyone else—and that’s something that’s protected by law. The discrimination that transgender students face isn’t going to vanish overnight, but this policy has real potential to push schools to improve their policies and change students’ lives.” - National Center for Transgender EqualityThis detailed letter explains that schools and colleges have to ensure that transgender students are treated according to their gender identity in every aspect of school life. The letter, and accompanying Emerging Practices guide, covers name and pronoun use, confidentiality, harassment, participate in sports, application of dress codes, among other topics. The letter clearly states that all students have the right to full and equal access to restrooms and other facilities that match their gender.Schools that don’t follow these policies—including schools that exclude transgender students from restrooms consistent with their gender—are violating federal law, putting their federal funding at risk. Title IX overrides state laws like North Carolina’s HB 2, which require schools to force transgender students into bathrooms that don’t match their gender.

Policies that treat transgender students equally, including when it comes to restroom access, have been successfully tried and tested for years in thousands of schools around the country. But even though many schools have been doing the right thing without any threats to anyone’s privacy or safety, too many transgender students continue to go to schools where they face discrimination, harassment and even violence. The Department of Education’s policy letter is critical to protect the rights of all transgender students. Its release has been one of NCTE’s highest policy priorities, one we have vigorously advocated for over the course of several years.

JUNE 5, 2016 | Today is the 35th anniversary of the first reported cases of HIV. It has been 20 years since the world was informed about protease inhibitors and also 20 years of the walk on Washington and the biggest display of AIDS quilts in the world. Many great developments since then but half of HIV+ people in the world still don't have access to antiretrovirals.

UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA remembers our brothers & sisters taken by AIDS - their many contributions, accolades, contributions, love & pain they experienced, and fond memories they left us with.

UNITY COALITION|COALICION UNIDA is proud to stand in solidarity with a National Coalition of Latina organizations:August 2016

DECLARATION OF SOLIDARITY FOR ORGANIZATIONAL ALLIES

We, the undersigned, join to declare our solidarity with and commitment to work alongside and as communities of color, and unite toward the liberation of Black and Brown lives, as we struggle for the recognition and realization of our human rights.

We stand in full solidarity and struggle with Black Lives Matter and the Movement for Black Lives. We acknowledge the long standing anti-Blackness that has permeated the United States and the world as a violent product of over 500 years of colonization. We demand full accountability for the Black lives that are constantly under the threat of systematic violence. Now more than ever, we must stand with and for the liberation of our Black and Afro-Latinx hermanxs.We understand that to achieve a world that is just and equitable, we must fight with and for one another and, together, cast off the mantle of hetero-patriarchal white supremacy.

Today, as part of this effort, we demand reproductive justice.

• We demand the right to be a parent, the right to not parent, and the right to parent the children we have with dignity and respect in safe neighborhoods with quality schools and housing. We demand workplaces that ensure we can support ourselves and our families.

• We demand full accountability for the Black lives cut short, for the threats and experiences of policing faced by our Black hermanxs. We demand an end to the killing of Black people by police and we demand an end to the near-constant impunity with which these killings are met.

• We demand the demilitarization of our communities and an end to the state sanctioned violence enforced through criminalization and racist, overzealous immigration enforcement. We demand an end to immigration raids and widespread detention and deportation.

• We demand criminal justice reform, comprehensive and dignified immigration reform, and the expansion of policies that strengthen our families, rather than tear them apart.

• We demand full political, social, and economic rights and power for all people regardless of gender or sexual identity, orientation, and/or expression. We unite to bring attention and an immediate end to the systemic violence and discrimination the trans community faces daily. We demand an end to all legislation that criminalizes the existence of our trans hermanxs and encourage policymakers and organizations to create fundamental changes that foster inclusivity and community-building.• We demand that our voices be lifted up, heard, and counted. We demand an end to laws that suppress voters and keep people of color from the polls. We demand an end to racial gerrymandering that dilutes the voting power of Black and Latinx communities. We demand an end to felony disenfranchisement laws that extend the reach of mass incarceration beyond the walls of the prison industrial complex and unjust sentences into a long-lasting “civil death.”

• We demand the protection and fulfillment of reproductive health rights and access for all people, including contraceptive equity and abortion. We demand available and affordable pre- and post-natal care, paid family leave, and respect for all parents regardless of age, gender, sexuality, and class. We demand that all people be able to access the healthcare they need without fear of encountering discriminatory practices and providers and without the threat of criminalization or incarceration, which is too often inflicted upon immigrants and people of color.

We recognize that the long and continuing history of systemic violence against people of color threatens Latinx families and communities. We recognize that our movements for social change and progress are stronger when they include and center people of color. We will stand and fight together to challenge and dismantle the oppressive systems, policies, and practices that threaten the health and lives of our Black and Brown hermanxs and to work toward a world that acknowledges and respects our self-determination and humanity.

UC|CU condemns today’s reversal of Obama guidelines on transgender bathrooms by Trump – this is an attack on our nations trans children & another setback for civil rightsFebruary 22, 2017- Miami, Florida… Today’s action by President Donald Trump'sadministration, revoking landmark guidance issued to public schools in defenseof transgender student rights, is a direct attack on the Transgender community,and will put every trans child in danger of bullying undue harm. Reversing courseon a signature initiative of former Democratic President Barack Obama is not onlydisheartening, but seen as nothing more than an attempt to undue all recentadvances in LGBT rights in the U.S.

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA is the First & Only organization for the So.Fla. Latino|Hispanic|LGBT community - advancing Equality & Fairness - throughEducation, Leadership and Awareness, since 2002, condemns the narrowminded actions taken today, and is extremely concerned for the state of civil rightsongoing under this administration.In May 2016, president Obama instructed all public schools to allow transgenderstudents to use the bathrooms matching their chosen gender identity, threateningto withhold federal funding if they should force transgender children to usebathrooms against their will.

The Obama guidelines had already been put on hold by a federal judge, but the Trump administration went ahead and withdrew them. The Justice and Education departments will continue to study the legal issues involved, according to the new, superseding guidance that will be sent to public schools across the country.

The federal law in question, known as Title IX, bans sex discrimination in education. But it remains unsettled whether Title IX protections extend to a person's gender identity.

The courts are likely to have the final say over whether Title IX covers transgender students. The Supreme Court could pass on that question in the Virginia case and allow lower courts to weigh in, or go ahead and decide what the law means.

Now is the time for all Americans to be vigilant, united and passionate about the civil rights of all in this country. Discrimination, prejudice, hate & ignorance have no place in our public schools or the White House.

Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida condemns Presidential Tweet on banning Transgender individuals from serving in theU.S. Military - Urges our community and the country focus on the timing, intent and facts – not the message

July 26, 2017…Miami, FloridaIn a Tweet on social media today, 45 said he will ban transgender people from serving in the military in any capacity, a reversal of the Obama administration decision that would have allowed them to serve.

Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida, the First & Only organization for the So. Fla. Latinx|Hispanic|LGBT community - advancing Equality & Fairness - through Education, Leadership and Awareness, since 2002, condemns this suggestion, reasoning, method and timing of this statement. Furthermore, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida stands firmly with the facts and studies, our Transgender communities’ willingness & ability to serve their country if they choose to, and will continue to support a full lift on any restrictions of transgender military service.

Under Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter, the military lifted the ban on transgender troops and was given one year to determine how to implement a policy that would allow transgender service members to receive medical care and would ban the services from involuntarily separating people in the military who came out as transgender.

The independent Rand Corporation estimated in 2016 that 2,450 of the 1.2 million active-duty service members are transgender, though some campaigners put the figure higher, in their study commissioned by the Defense Department.

Citing the need to focus on victory, Trump said that the military cannot accept the burden of higher medical costs and “disruption” that transgender troops would require.

“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, a think tank that has helped the Pentagon research transgender people serving in the military, said “For the past year, transgender troops have been serving openly and have been widely praised by their Commanders, as is the case in 18 allied militaries around the world including Israel& Britain. In light of the success of transgender military service, the extensive research confirming that inclusive policy promotes readiness, and the sad history of ‘don't ask, don't tell,’ loyally-serving transgender troops deserve to know whether Secretary Mattis stands by the claim he made at his confirmation hearing that LGBT troops can indeed serve in a ‘lethal’ military. Stonewalling on full inclusion will, just like ‘don't ask, don't tell,’ compromise military readiness.”

This latest presidential attempt to set national policy via Tweets, must be kept in perspective, and viewed in the context of all other pending issues plaguing this administration, including but not limited to the inability to reform healthcare, obstruction of Justice and attempts to disrupt federal investigations on Russian intervention & questionable dealings by the administration, cyber-attacks by Russia on the U.S., and much more.

ADMINISTRATIONS DECISION TO END D.A.C.A. IS THE MOST RECKLESS AND SHAMEFUL ATTACK ON OUR HISPANIC & LGBT COMMUNITIES, TO DATE

September 2, 2017… The White House formally announced the end of DACA -- a program that had protected nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation. The Department of Homeland Security will stop processing any new applications for the program as of Tuesday and rescinded the Obama administration policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA condemns this decision, and urges Congress to do the right thing and pass the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 to permanently protect the young people who grew up here, who know no other country but America, and prevent them from being deported. This continued obsession by 45 to overturn any/all initiatives by the previous administration is not only childish, costly and reckless, but it puts thousands of lives and futures, unnecessarily at risk.The decision uproots and endangers the lives of the DREAMers - individuals who will most likely face deportations to countries they barely know or have any connection to, including over 75,000 LGBTQ people, who are currently protected from deportation and have authorization to work in the US under DACA. Forcing our vulnerable community to deportations will certainly lead to violence and sexual abuse while in detainment facilities, and often face anti-LGBTQ persecution in their native countries, endanger their lives and place their safety in question.In Florida alone, there are over 4,000 DACA eligible undocumented youth who identify as LGBTQ. During and after the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida, we witnessed many undocumented survivors afraid to seek help – afraid of the system, and living in fear of deportation.

FACTS ABOUT DACA- 78% of registered voters believe DREAMers should be allowed to stay in this country.- 56% of registered voters believe DREAMers should be given a path to citizenship.- 75% of Trump voters think DACA recipients should be allowed to stay in the country.- 78% of Republican voters supported 45’s decision to keep DACA program, before he went back on his promise.- 74% of conservatives say DREAMers should be allowed to stay in the country.- As much as $460.3 billion would be lost from our nation’s GDP over the next decade from ending DACA.- Nearly 700,000 DACA recipients could be forced out of their jobs and businesses.- $3.4 billion will need to be spent to train and hire new employees to fill the jobs vacated by DREAMers.- $8 billon would be lost annually in state, in the 10 states demanding that the Trump administration end DACA.

From their swearing in this past November, this administration has ruthlessly and aggressively attacked community after community across the U.S.This latest attack will result in unimaginable consequences for community, businesses, neighbors, friends, and our families.

Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida remains committed to the Leadership and Pride in our Latinx|Hispanx|LGBT Communities, through Equality Education and Empowerment, since 2002._____________________________

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA and TransSOCIAL expand South Florida Community Outreach and Presence, with shared Satellite Offices in Dade & Broward

October 31, 2017 - Miami, Florida…In our combined and ongoing effort to better serve, reach and be accessible to our community & its needs, UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA (UC|CU) and TransSOCIAL have entered an agreement to share Satellite Offices in both Dade & Broward counties.

As of December 1, 2017, TranSOCIAL will call UC|CU’s Miami office at 777 Brickell Avenue, Suite 500, Miami, Florida 33139, their Miami home – offering Programs and Services onsite, by appointment, to allow for better access to serving their community. UC|CU offices are provided by the generosity of QUEST Workspaces, Miami.

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA is thrilled to also have a Broward home at TransSOCIAL’s office located at 2424 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Oakland Park, FL 33311, to more effectively serve our Broward & northern communities, offering Programs and Services onsite, by appointment. This is space is provided by the generosity of Dynamic Recovery Center.

“Our South Florida community and its needs is not bound by geography or county lines. Their needs are not defined by boundaries.” said Dr. Morgan Mayfaire, Executive Director of TransSOCIAL, Inc. & UC|CU board member. “We are thrilled to partner with TranSOCIAL and expand our ability to better serve & offer programming to ALL of South Florida, with a formal Broward presence”, added UC|CU director & CEO, Herb Sosa.

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA is the First & Only organization for the So. Fla. Latinx|Hispanic|LGBT community - advancing Equality & Fairness - through Education, Leadership and Awareness, since 2002 – offering tools and programming, like ELEVATE- a day of being Nicer; LGBT Scholarships for the Arts, Design, Education & Cosmetology; TRANSART series – showcasing transgender art & artists; the 7th annual Celebrate ORGULLO Hispanic Pride festival.www.unitycoalition.org

TransSOCIAL, Inc. is a Trans-led non-profit that expands LGBTQ+ resources through training businesses and healthcare providers in cultural competency; maintains a robust referral network for Trans clients; and hosts social and educational events to promote networking and community building.www.transsocial.org

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UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA INVITES AMAZON TO THE CAPITAL OF THE AMERICAS: MIAMI

February 1, 2018… Miami, FloridaWhat’s at stake? Fifty-thousand jobs, a $5 billion investment by Amazon and all the indirect economic activity - tens of thousands of additional jobs and other investment - that would come with AMAZON opening its second headquarters in the U.S., here. This is most definitely a great opportunity for our local LGBT community as well.

South Florida has made great strides in LGBT rights, leading the nation on many initiatives, and South Florida has passed local ordinances to protect the LGBT community from discrimination and that enables Amazon to recruit and hire the best talent in Florida. Miami Beach has consistently received a 100% rating from HRC on all things LGBT. We do have more work to do, and our state as a whole leaves a lot to be desired on Equality, but the benefits to and from our South Florida LGBT community, are

Amazon HQ2 would be in good corporate company in South Florida, joining AutoNation, Citrix Systems, Ultimate Software, Office Depot, ADT security, Carnival Corp., Bacardi, Del Monte, and Ryder System, just to name a few.South Florida also offers a 3 million-person labor force, of which 53 percent are bilingual. Add to that the fact that we are 2nd in the nation in international banks headquartered here, and Miami being the gateway to South and Central America. Amazon is looking to expand into Latin American regions, as well as into the pharmaceutical and health-care industry. That means Amazon also would be interested in South Florida’s research institutions, including Scripps Florida, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and University of Miami.

WHY MIAMI? Instead of charging payroll tax and rebating it to the company over a decade (as Illinois would), there would be zero state income tax here. With 50,000 employees earning $100,000 apiece, that is a savings of $2.5 billion over ten years, compared to the Illinois tax rate of about 5%. There’s also the possibility of a Tax Increment Financing Deal if they build in the Overtown CRA area, which could be worth over $1 billion (putting Miami ahead of other areas with no income tax like Austin and Dallas). That is on top of incentives that the Beacon Council is offering.

Transit – Older cities like Washington D.C. have an expansive transit system in place that can get workers around the city, and to most suburbs they desire.

Miami has a unique proposition though – land with intensive zoning density available right in the urban core. There are at least three downtown sites with enough capacity to build office, housing and retail for nearly most of Amazon’s employees, allowing them to live, work, and play in the same area. Workers would never have to leave.

When they do need to travel though, Amazon would have excellent transit connectivity. At the Innovation District/Worldcenter site alone, there are four different rail systems: Brightline high speed trains to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. Tri-Rail through Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Metrorail to Miami International Airport or Dadeland in 20 minutes. Metromover to Brickell and throughout downtown.

Educated Workforce – Cities like Boston have a better established university system that churns out college grads (although Miami is on the rise in that area).

Miami though, is simply a more attractive place to live for most of those same college graduates. Study after study shows that Miami is a magnet – particularly for millennials, who are willing to spend more of their income on housing to live here.

If anything, Miami hasn’t been attracting even more millennials because there aren’t yet enough high-paying jobs. Amazon’s arrival changes that.

Finally, Jeff Bezos knows first-hand how amazing our South Florida community, people and resources are. He grew up here. He knows what we are made of. We ask that Amazon and Bezos choose Miami for their HQ2 – it is the perfect marriage – and yes, same sex marriage is also legal in Florida!

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UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA URGES THE ARCHDIOCESE of MIAMI TO REVERSE ITS UN-CHRISTIAN POLICY OF INTOLERANCE AND HATE, and FLORIDA LAWMAKERS TO DO SO AS WELL

February 12, 2018… Miami, FloridaFlorida remains one of the few states where employers can still fire someone based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This is an unjust, discriminatory and outdated law that Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida strongly calls for its elimination – now.

Miami resident Jocelyn Morffi married her longtime partner, Natasha Hass at the Key Largo Lighthouse on Saturday, February 3. By the end of the week, Morffi had been fired from her job teaching first grade at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School. Although no official statement has been given by the Archdiocese of Miami, who enforce employment & morality policies for their employees, Miami's current archbishop, Thomas Wenski, has a long history of anti-gay comments. When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, Wenski released a statement comparing the ruling to the 1857 Dred Scott case, which stated that black people could be legally owned as property in the United States.

“The firing of a liked and celebrated teacher, for living her truth of love & marital union, once again highlights the need for protection of all Floridians from discrimination. Her marriage is legal in our state and should be seen as a beacon of all things good & honest, not a threat or reason for losing her job. There is nothing immoral, conflicting or shameful in her commitment to her partner and her students, and both are equally as strong and unquestionable. It is time for the Archdiocese of Miami to reveres its policy of intolerance and hate – two qualities that are anything but Christian, in teaching or practice. It is time for the Archdiocese to really learn and put into practice what being a true Christian, is.” said Herb Sosa, president & CEO of Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida

In 2015, Morffi was recognized in the Miami Herald for a program she started at St. Peter & Paul School called #teachHope70x7 that encouraged kids to feed the homeless and "encourage hope" in the community. (The "70x7" references a bible passage about forgiveness.)

SCOTUS Ruling in Colorado’s Masterpiece Cakeshop Case Does Not Change Civil Rights Laws, but also does not clearly address whether businesses can refuse to serve gay and lesbian customers

Miami, Florida…June 4, 2018 - The decision from the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is not a victory for either side. The Supreme Court has ruled that the state of Colorado’s enforcement of its civil rights law was flawed, while reaffirming that LGBTQ Americans should not face discrimination in the provision of goods and services and state law may continue to prohibit such discrimination.

The Supreme Court's decision means that business owners cannot be successfully sued for refusing on religious grounds to provide services to same-sex couples, even in the 21 states with human rights laws similar to Colorado's banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

“Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida reminds ALL to register to vote, and to go out and vote at EVERY election. It is up to all of us to elect pro-equality leaders who will fight for laws that protect our friends, family and neighbors from discrimination. We must all do everything in our power - at home, work and with family… at the polls, with local, state and federal elected officials, and in the courts - to continue working toward our human goal of creating a country and world that is Healthy, Fair and fully Equal for all LGBTQ people.” – Herb Sosa, president & CEO.

What today’s Supreme Court Masterpiece Cakeshop decision does is remind us of the absence of federal LGBT non-discrimination legislation, and the need to relentlessly fight for this ongoing.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE? Because it is NOT about a cake...Do you really want someone baking you a cake that they don't want to make you? It is about the right to refuse anyone service based on discrimination... In bakeries, restaurants, stores, work, places where we live, vacation, etc..____________________________________________

UNIITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA DENOUNCES TRUMP-PENCE ATTEMPT AT REDEFINING GENDER AS THE LATEST AND SHAMEFUL ATTACK ON OUR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING AMERICANS, AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED

October 22, 2017 – Miami, Florida…On Sunday, the New York Times published a report detailing the Trump-Pence Administration's "effort to establish a legal definition of sex under Title IX" that would "narrowly [define] gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth" and allow for widespread government-sanctioned discrimination against transgender and gender nonconforming Americans.

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA (UC|CU), South Florida’s Latinx|Hispanic|LGBTQ organization since 2002 for Equality, Leadership and Empowerment, issued the following statement from Director & CEO Herb Sosa, response to the Times report:

“Once again, the Trump-Pence Administration is choosing to attack and dehumanize a part of our community, using taxpayer money and resources - fanning racism, violence, ignorance and inhumanity - with its coordinated attempts to erase the existence of transgender Americans. This is just the latest attack on this community of over 1.4 million in the U.S. alone. Relentlessly and heartlessly coming after transgender students and service members, this Administration is clearly focused on a full-scale war against millions of transgender and gender nonconforming people across our nation by proposing unneeded and unwanted regulations that would require discrimination. UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA is also relentless, as we stand with our LGBTQ community and our allies, in Unity and Solidarity. There is no place for hate, discrimination and fear in our America. Register to vote, call your elected officials, go vote and make a difference for ALL.” – Herb Sosa

From their swearing in this past November, this administration has ruthlessly and aggressively attacked community after community across the U.S.This latest attack will result in unimaginable consequences for community, businesses, neighbors, friends, and our families.

Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida remains committed to the Leadership and Pride in our Latinx|Hispanx|LGBT Communities, through Equality Education and Empowerment, since 2002, and stand in UNITY with the #WontBeErased national movement, TransSocial, National Center for Transgender Equality, HRC and many other Trans-supporting organizations across the country.